King Lear by William Shakespeare
Act 5 - Scene 1
The British camp near Dover.
Edmund : Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,
[p]Or whether since he is
advis'd by aught
[p]To change the course. He's full of
alteration
[p]And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.
Regan : Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
Edmund : Tis to be doubted, madam.
Regan : Now, sweet lord,
[p]You know the goodness I intend upon you.
[p]Tell
me- but truly- but then speak the truth-
[p]Do you not love my
sister?
Edmund : In honour'd love.
Regan : But have you never found my brother's way
[p]To the forfended place?
Edmund : That thought abuses you.
Regan : I am doubtful that you have been conjunct
[p]And bosom'd with her, as
far as we call hers.
Edmund : No, by mine honour, madam.
Regan : I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
[p]Be not familiar with her.
Edmund : Fear me not.
[p]She and the Duke her husband!
[p] Enter, with Drum
and Colours, Albany, Goneril, Soldiers.
Goneril : [aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister
[p]Should loosen
him and me.
Duke of Albany : Our very loving sister, well bemet.
[p]Sir, this I hear: the King is
come to his daughter,
[p]With others whom the rigour of our
state
[p]Forc'd to cry out. Where I could not be honest,
[p]I never
yet was valiant. For this business,
[p]It toucheth us as France
invades our land,
[p]Not bolds the King, with others whom, I
fear,
[p]Most just and heavy causes make oppose.
Edmund : Sir, you speak nobly.
Regan : Why is this reason'd?
Goneril : Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
[p]For these domestic and
particular broils
[p]Are not the question here.
Duke of Albany : Let's then determine
[p]With th' ancient of war on our proceeding.
Edmund : I shall attend you presently at your tent.
Regan : Sister, you'll go with us?
Goneril : No.
Regan : 'Tis most convenient. Pray you go with us.
Goneril : [aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.- I will go.
[p] [As they are
going out,] enter Edgar [disguised].
Edgar : If e'er your Grace had speech with man so poor,
[p]Hear me one word.
Duke of Albany : I'll overtake you.- Speak.
Edgar : Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
[p]If you have victory,
let the trumpet sound
[p]For him that brought it. Wretched though I
seem,
[p]I can produce a champion that will prove
[p]What is avouched
there. If you miscarry,
[p]Your business of the world hath so an
end,
[p]And machination ceases. Fortune love you!
Duke of Albany : Stay till I have read the letter.
Edgar : I was forbid it.
[p]When time shall serve, let but the herald
cry,
[p]And I'll appear again.
Duke of Albany : Why, fare thee well. I will o'erlook thy paper.
Edmund : The enemy 's in view; draw up your powers.
[p]Here is the guess of
their true strength and forces
[p]By diligent discovery; but your
haste
[p]Is now urg'd on you.
Duke of Albany : We will greet the time. Exit.
Edmund : To both these sisters have I sworn my love;
[p]Each jealous of the
other, as the stung
[p]Are of the adder. Which of them shall I
take?
[p]Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,
[p]If both
remain alive. To take the widow
[p]Exasperates, makes mad her sister
Goneril;
[p]And hardly shall I carry out my side,
[p]Her husband being
alive. Now then, we'll use
[p]His countenance for the battle, which
being done,
[p]Let her who would be rid of him devise
[p]His speedy
taking off. As for the mercy
[p]Which he intends to Lear and to
Cordelia-
[p]The battle done, and they within our power,
[p]Shall
never see his pardon; for my state
[p]Stands on me to defend, not to
debate. Exit.
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Next: Act 5 - Scene 2
